Folding support



C. H. GIBSON FOLDING SUPPORT Filed Sept. 19,

Patented Aug. 17, 1%25.

entree sir-"ares insane CECIL H. GIBSON, OF BLUEFIELD, WEST VIRGINIA.

FOLDING Application filed September lhe object of this invention is to provide a folding support, for tubs and other articles, and it is especially designed for use in connection with electric washing machines, although of course the invention is not restricted to any particular use to which it may be put.

The invention consists of a frame, preferably of metal, which may be hooked on to the edge of a washing machine or other article or machine, and provided with a folding shelf that may be let down to a horizontal position to support a tub or other object when in use, and which may be folded up practically within the frame when not in use and the whole device stowed away until required for use again, as I will proceed now to explain and finally claim.

In the accompanying drawings illustrat ing the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support arranged in position to receive and support a tub or other article. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the device folded. Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing a modification in the attaching means. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of another modification of the attaching means.

The frame may consist of two parallel angle bars 1, terminating in the hook-shaped ends 2 at their upper portions, and having the flanged bottom portions 3. These bars 1 may be. connected by a cross bar 4 at the top and a cross bar 5 at the bottom, this last mentioned bar preferably extending beyond the sides of the frame members 1 to afford a more extended base for the device and to keep it steady when in position.

The shelf as here shown may consist of piece of angle metal bent to form the side pieces 6 and end piece 7. The side pieces are connected by a cross bar 8 at their inner ends and may be braced by an intermediate cross bar 9. The side pieces 6 are hinged at 10 to the side bars 1 in any suitable way so that the shelf formed of the parts 6, 7, 8 and 9 may be folded up between the side bars 1 as shown in Fig. 2 when the parts are not in use. The side pieces 6 are pro- \ided with braces 11 pivoted thereto as at 12 and connected by links 13 near their lower ends with the side bars 1 and also connected by the transverse rod 14. The lower ends of the braces 11 rest on the flanges 3 formed at the bottoms of the side SUPPORT.

19, 1922. Serial No. 589,281.

bars 1 to support the shelf in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1, and these braces 11 and their links 13 fold up as shown in Fig. 2 when the shelf is folded up within the frame. 7

As shown in Fig. 2 the hinge members 10 may extend beyond the bars 1 in order to give clearance to the shelf in its folding movement.

The hooks 2 enable the shelf to be hung on the edge of an electric or other washing machine or other machine or apparatus, and when the shelf is extended in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1, a tub for rinsing or other purposes may be supported thereon in convenient reach of the operator of the machine.

If desired, the machine or apparatus to which the folding support is to be attached may be provided with a strip 15, Fig. 3, having the loops or eyes 16 to be engaged by the hooks on the support, and in this connection, these hooks may be turned outwardly as indicated at 17, instead of rearwardly as indicated in Fig. 1

As another modification, Fig. 4, the wash iug machine or other apparatus may be provided with hinge members 18 permanently fixed thereto and adapted to engage complemental hinge members 19 on the frame.

@bviously any one of the forms of the support may be attachedv to a stationary structure, such as the wall of a house.

Variations in the details of construction and in the arrangement of the parts are contemplated as within the principle of the invention and the scope of the claims following.

What I claim is 1. A folding support, comprising a frame havingside pieces provided with means at one end by which the support may be suspended from an article, said side pieces having at their other end transverse flanges, and a shelf pivoted to the frame between the ends of said frame, braces pivotally connected with the shelf at one of their ends and adapted to movably engage the said transverse flanges at their other ends, so that the braces engaging said transverse flanges may hold the shelf in operative 6X- tended position and also permit of its being folded against the frame, and links pivoted to the braces and to the frame near their lower ends.

2. A folding support, comprising a frame composed of upright parallel angle bars having suspension hooks at their upper ends and having their lower ends transversely flanged, cross bars for connecting the angle bars near their opposite ends a shelf pivotally mounted upon said angle bar between the upper and lower ends of said angle bars, braces pivoted to the sides of said shelf and adapted to be moved into and out of supporting position on said transverse flanges, and links pivotally connected at opposite ends to the angle bars and braces, so that when the shelf is extended for use the braces will be in shelf-supporting engagement with the said transverse flanges and held from escape therefrom by the links and when the shelf is out of use it may be folded within the frame and between its angle bars and the braces folded against the shelf.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of September A. D.

CECIL H. GIBSOII. 

